Romanticism is that attitude expressed in literature usually through a concern more with idealism than with mundane reality--with less tangible concerns and with general principles rather than with more concrete and palpable experience. It does use simple, everyday experience, but not for its own sake; it is used rather to get at those principles which transcend the actual. It is interested more often with the organic than with the formal approach, condoning more freedom for the author. This is in accord with an emphasis on the individual and his feelings as a focal point of existence and with the emphasizing of imagination over reason. Sometimes there is emphasis on the ususual or strange because it is beyond acutal experience and produces distinctive sensations or on reform or love of nature. Optimism prevails usually. Artistically, there may be less emphasis on unity, with conten or idea more imprtant than form.
Realism is that attitude expressed in literature usually through a concern with the actual, practical, and more commonplace. Its language is likely to be more direct or earthy than that of much romanticism. Its values are found in an attempt to present actuality accrately, though skillfully. This obviously sets certain limitations on the writer. The result is a more formal artistic concern in that direct imitation or representation is the norm. Primary focus is on the immediate, the specific action, and the verifiable consequence. An attempt is made to be objective and not sentimental. In his choice of materials the objective and not sentimental. In his choice of materials the writer tries to represent
Realism is that attitude expressed in literature usually through a concern with the actual, practical, and more commonplace. Its language is likely to be more direct or earthy than that of much romanticism. Its values are found in an attempt to present actuality accrately, though skillfully. This obviously sets certain limitations on the writer. The result is a more formal artistic concern in that direct imitation or representation is the norm. Primary focus is on the immediate, the specific action, and the verifiable consequence. An attempt is made to be objective and not sentimental. In his choice of materials the objective and not sentimental. In his choice of materials the writer tries to represent